Zim: Mnangagwa files opposing papers to MDC’s election challenge

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly filed his opposing papers to the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s petition challenging his victory in the just ended elections.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly filed his opposing papers to the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s petition challenging his victory in the just ended elections.

According to the state-owned Herald newspaper, Mnangagwa’s lead defence counsel, Advocate Lewis Uriri confirmed on Monday that the opposing papers had been filed at the Constitutional Court.

The MDC last week lodged a court bid to overturn the results of presidential elections that it alleged were rigged to ensure victory for Mnangagwa.

The MDC accused the ruling Zanu-PF party and the election commission of ballot fraud in the July 30 vote, Zimbabwe’s first poll since the ousting of former president Robert Mugabe in November, AFP reported.

Mnangagwa’s inauguration, which had been planned for Sunday, was immediately postponed until the court made its ruling, which was due within 14 days.

Mnangagwa won 50.8% of the vote, just scraping in above the 50% run-off threshold.

SABC reported that South Africa’s Advocate Dali Mpofu was set to lead the legal team challenging Mnangagwa on behalf of the MDC Alliance.

An AP report last week said that the southern African country’s first election had been marred by rigging allegations, the army opening fire on opposition demonstrators killing six people, and accusations of a security crackdown on opposition supporters.